革
KanjiJLPT N2
Leather
leather, skin, reform, become serious
Mnemonic
Hide stretched on a frame with horizontal cross-bars — tanned leather.
Details
The keyword for 革 is leather. This kanji represents animal hide that has been processed and tanned into leather, depicting the stretched-out skin of an animal. By extension, it also carries the meaning of reform or revolution, as the process of transforming raw hide into leather symbolizes fundamental change or renewal. This dual meaning connects the physical transformation of animal skin with the broader concept of radical transformation in society or systems.
- On'yomi
- かく
- Kun'yomi
- かわ